| UNBEATEN SUPER WELTERWEIGHTS Troy Williamson and Kieran Smith will fight in a final eliminator for a shot at the British title on April 30, live on BT Sport. The 15-0-1 ‘Trojan’ from Darlington moved into title-winning mode in December 2019 when he defeated Dario Socco via a 10th round stoppage to clinch the IBF European title and he defended his belt in August of last year with a close-run points decision over Harry Scarff. Smith, 16-0, from Greenrigg in Scotland, is holder of the WBC International Silver title, which he won in November 2018 against Evaldas Korsakas and has subsequently defended on two occasions. His most recent bout came in November 2019 when he defeated the then 16-0 Vincenzo Bevilacqua over ten rounds in Glasgow. Both fighters have been determined to make an impact at domestic level, with the British title currently held by Ted Cheeseman, who overcame JJ Metcalf in a mandatory defence last Saturday. The pair will collide on the undercard of Sunny Edwards challenging for the IBF world flyweight title against the champion Moruti Mthalane, with Michael Conlan taking on Ionut Baluta in his opening gambit at super bantamweight. Troy Williamson said: “It is a good fight and he is a good fighter. It is one I am taking very seriously and I can’t wait to get the ball rolling. “It is a big fight, with a lot at stake being a final eliminator for the British, and there is a bit of beef behind it because I beat him as an amateur back in 2015. It was in the Tri-Nations semi-final and it was a close-ish fight so there is a bit of history there. “I’ve not seen much of his pro career but I know he is ranked above me in the Boxrec ratings and I respect him as a fighter. I agree with him that he has been avoided but I also think I am myself. “This will be just the start and where I will announce myself on the big stage.” Kieran Smith said: “I am very excited to be back out in a big fight, and on a big show on BT Sport. The last 18 months has been frustrating for me as it has been for many, but I’m here now and ready to kick on. “It’s a shame we can’t get fans in for this one but I’m used to fighting in empty halls as it’s what we all did as amateurs on national teams all over the world. “With this being a final eliminator for the British title, the plan is to win this and then push on for that belt. The super-welterweight division is thriving at the moment and there are so many big domestic fights. “It’s just one step at a time though, my full focus is on beating Troy.” |
